APO Group - Africa-Newsroom: latest news releases related to Africahttps://www.africa-newsroom.com/
Press releases from Africa-Neswroom.comenAPO Group - Africa-Newsroom: latest news releases related to Africahttps://www.africa-newsroom.com/addons/shared_addons/themes/apofront/img/logo.pnghttps://www.africa-newsroom.com/
Premiere in Africa of the documentary "Cuba in Africa"https://www.africa-newsroom.com/press/premiere-in-africa-of-the-documentary-cuba-in-africa?lang=en
Premiere in Africa of the documentary https://www.africa-newsroom.com/files/thumb/5cfee631b2124a4/600/418https://www.africa-newsroom.com/files/thumb/5cfee631b2124a4/600/418

The premiere in Africa of the documentary "Cuba in Africa" made by the Ethiopian Negash Abdourahman was presented at the Embassy of Cuba in this capital.

The material is based on the contribution of Cuba to the independence struggles of African countries, as well as to the preservation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of them. The history is recalled from interviews and anecdotes of the Cuban protagonists of these epic moments.

During his indroductory remarksk Mr. Abdourahman acknowledged the decisive role of Cuba, not only from the military point of view but from the civilian one in sectors such as health and education. He insisted on the task to pass this legacy to the present and future generations of Africans.

The Cuban Ambassador H.E. Mrs. Vilma Thomas highlighted the humble contribution of Cuba to make Africa a better continent and expressed appreciation to Mr. Abdourahman for this touching material.

In attendance, the Cuban community in Ethiopia, members of the Media and of the diplomatic corps, the family of the documentary producer, as well as the staff of the Embassy.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Embassy of the Republic of Cuba in Ethiopia.

]]>Tue, 19 Mar 2019 13:00:13 +0000APO Group - Africa-Newsroom: latest news releases related to Africahttps://www.africa-newsroom.com/addons/shared_addons/themes/apofront/img/logo.pnghttps://www.africa-newsroom.com/
https://www.africa-newsroom.com/press/premiere-in-africa-of-the-documentary-cuba-in-africa?lang=enAfrica,Cinema,Cuba,Culture/Arts,Education,Entertainment,Ethiopia,Foreign Policy,MBCCall for Application: International Writing Program (IWP) Free Online Writing Course at the University of Iowahttps://www.africa-newsroom.com/press/call-for-application-international-writing-program-iwp-free-online-writing-course-at-the-university-of-iowa?lang=en
Call for Application: International Writing Program (IWP) Free Online Writing Course at the University of Iowahttps://www.africa-newsroom.com/files/thumb/90fd3579d24386a/600/418https://www.africa-newsroom.com/files/thumb/90fd3579d24386a/600/418

The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) at the US Department of State and the International Writing Program (IWP) at the University of Iowa are offering the free online/virtual course “Write for Your Life: Turning Trauma into Stories”.

We will explore strategies to create vivid, compelling stories (fiction and/or nonfiction) from difficult experiences. As a community of writers, we will examine and discuss published texts, as well as provide feedback on student work. By the end of the course,
you will have produced a significant body of narrative prose.

Course date: May 7-31, 2019
Interested candidates should apply by April 8, 2019.

The Embassy of Denmark in South Africa is proud to announce that the Black Box Company will perform at the newly revived Dance Umbrella Africa 2019!

With support from the Danish Art Foundation, the Black Box Company will host a master class on modern dance with the focus of gender and sexuality on Friday the 5th of April at the Drama Theatre in Pretoria.

On Sunday the 7th of April, they will perform their anticipated show ‘No Sex – A World of Gender’, a theatrical dance show that deals with the issues of one’s own and society’s expectations to gender and sexuality, at the Pretoria State Theatre before going to perform in Cape Town.

Dance Umbrella Africa 2019 will embrace all genres of the dance, from authentic South African dance ‘isipantsula’ to diverse classical, contemporary, dance theatre and performance art. The festival is set for 31st of March – 7th of April.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Embassy of Denmark - Pretoria, South Africa.]]>Fri, 15 Mar 2019 18:09:42 +0000APO Group - Africa-Newsroom: latest news releases related to Africahttps://www.africa-newsroom.com/addons/shared_addons/themes/apofront/img/logo.pnghttps://www.africa-newsroom.com/
https://www.africa-newsroom.com/press/black-box-company-to-peform-at-dance-umbrella-africa-2019?lang=enAfrica,Culture/Arts,Denmark,Entertainment,South Africa,MBCInauguration of the Week of the French language and La Francophoniehttps://www.africa-newsroom.com/press/inauguration-of-the-week-of-the-french-language-and-la-francophonie?lang=en
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The next ‘Week of the French Language and La Francophonie’ kicks off in Bern on 14 March. Celebrated all over the world to reflect and showcase the diversity of la Francophonie, it will run in Switzerland until 26 March and feature numerous events on the theme of La Francophonie in Africa, combining culture, celebration and conviviality. Events will be held in more than fifteen towns and cities around the country, and in German-speaking Switzerland will focus on bringing together native French speakers and learners of the language.

The 24th Week of the French Language and La Francophonie (SLLF) was officially launched on 14 March 2019 under the auspices of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) and the Intercantonal Conference of Public Education of French-speaking Switzerland and Ticino (CIIP). The inauguration evening took place at 'Depot B' in Bern in the presence of Jean-Pierre Grin, President of the Swiss Parliamentary Delegation to the French-speaking Parliamentary Assembly and Jean-Pierre Siggen, Fribourg Cantonal Councillor and Vice-Chairman of the CIIP.

At this event, the group of French-speaking ambassadors in Bern, composed of representatives of the member countries of the International Organisation of La Francophonie accredited to Switzerland, presented their two annual awards. The first was presented to the Geneva Book Fair, the second largest French-language fair of its type in the world, for its commitment to promoting French-language literature in Europe; the second to the Romanian writer Victor Stoichita, Professor of History at the University of Fribourg, for his commitment to promoting the values of La Francophonie in Switzerland.

The inauguration evening also featured literary performances by school pupils from the German-speaking part of Switzerland and a performance by the evening's host, Marc Alexandre Oho Bambe, known as Captain Alexandre, a slam poet. The evening ended with a large African buffet, to which several African embassies contributed.

The SLLF is celebrated every year around 20 March, the International Day of La Francophonie, in various French-speaking parts of the world. In Switzerland, it will run from 14 to 24 March 2019, celebrating the special linguistic and cultural characteristics of French-speaking African countries through concerts, readings, conferences, culinary tastings, films and exhibitions. More than fifteen towns and cities in Switzerland will be hosting cultural events. For school pupils from different linguistic regions of the country it is an opportunity to come into contact with the French language, through activities such as slam workshops, documentary screenings and thematic discussions.

The SLFF is above all a great convivial occasion, fostering exchanges and celebrating the French language and the different French-speaking cultures.

McDermott International, Inc. (NYSE: MDR) and Baker Hughes, a GE company (NYSE: BHGE) have announced today that they have been awarded subsea umbilicals, risers and flowlines (SURF) and subsea production system (SPS) equipment contracts by BP for the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim natural gas project, located offshore Mauritania and Senegal. BP, BHGE and McDermott are working together to realize efficiencies, synergies and enhanced delivery times.

McDermott was awarded a substantial* engineering, procurement, construction and installation (EPCI) SURF contract. McDermott plans to use its upgraded Amazon vessel, DLV 2000, North Ocean 102 (NO 102) and third-party vessels to support installation scheduled to begin in late 2020. The Amazon modifications are scheduled to be completed before the installation campaign begins and will include a multi-joint (hex) J-Lay system to handle the most challenging ultra-deepwater projects as well as the addition of a multi-joint facility, dual pipe loading cranes and additional power generation. McDermott-designed pipeline and riser structures will be fabricated at its yard in Batam, Indonesia.

BHGE is demonstrating the benefits of early-engagement and collaboration – some of the key components of Subsea Connect – as well as bringing its expertise in deepwater, long-offset gas projects. The company will provide five large-bore deepwater horizonal xmas trees (DHXTs), a 6-slot dual bore manifold, a pipeline end manifold, subsea distribution units (SDUs), three subsea isolation valves (SSIVs), diverless connections and subsea production control systems, specifically designed to enable the future integration of additional wells for the first phase of the development.

"This contract marks a number of firsts: our first significant subsea EPCI project in West Africa; the first project using our state of the art pipelay vessel Amazon; and our support of BP's first entry into Senegal and Mauritania. This project is also of significant importance in support of our aspirations in this region," said Tareq Kawash, McDermott's Senior Vice President for Europe, Africa, Russia and Caspian. "Our collaboration with BHGE allows us to offer BP an integrated approach that builds on our proven solutions. We look forward, along with BHGE, to deliver this landmark project to BP with the highest levels of safety and quality."

"Together with McDermott, we will deliver the best-in-class solution to BP with cost-efficiency and industry-leading safety. These awards demonstrate the value of early-engagement, collaborative partnerships and holistic project planning, which are very much central to our new approach to subsea developments, Subsea Connect," said Graham Gillies, BHGE's Vice President, Subsea Production Systems & Services. "This major deepwater gas development is strategically important for Mauritania and Senegal's domestic and global gas supply, and supports the industry's drive for a more sustainable, lower carbon future."

These latest awards follow an initial front-end engineering and design (FEED) phase, awarded in March 2018 (https://bit.ly/2E2JsT6), during which BHGE and McDermott worked together to define the technology and equipment scope for a four-well development phase. Project management and engineering teams from BP, BHGE and McDermott will remain co-located at McDermott's London offices for this next phase.

BHGE has also signed an agreement to become a "Country Partner" of Invest in Africa's (IIA) Senegal chapter, of which BP is a founding member. The IIA helps local suppliers to connect with international oil and gas companies, increasing the opportunities for local businesses to support large-scale projects, and training African suppliers on core business skills and entrepreneurship.

Project Details
The initial subsea infrastructure connects the first four of 12 wells consolidated through production pipelines leading to a floating production, storage, and offloading (FPSO) vessel. From here liquids are removed and the export gas is transported via a pipeline to the floating liquid natural gas (FLNG) hub terminal where the gas is liquefied.

* - McDermott defines a substantial contract as between $500 million to $750 million. The contract award will be reflected in McDermott's first quarter 2019 backlog.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Baker Hughes General Electric (BHGE).

About McDermott:
McDermott (www.McDermott.com) is a premier, fully integrated provider of technology, engineering and construction solutions to the energy industry. For more than a century, customers have trusted McDermott to design and build end-to-end infrastructure and technology solutions to transport and transform oil and gas into the products the world needs today. Our proprietary technologies, integrated expertise and comprehensive solutions deliver certainty, innovation and added value to energy projects around the world. Customers rely on McDermott to deliver certainty to the most complex projects, from concept to commissioning. It is called the "One McDermott Way." Operating in over 54 countries, McDermott's locally focused and globally-integrated resources include approximately 32,000 employees, a diversified fleet of specialty marine construction vessels and fabrication facilities around the world. As used in this press release, McDermott includes McDermott International, Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliates. To learn more, visit www.McDermott.com.

About Baker Hughes, a GE company:
Baker Hughes, a GE company (NYSE: BHGE) (www.BHGE.com) is the world's first and only fullstream provider of integrated oilfield products, services and digital solutions. We deploy minds and machines to enhance customer productivity, safety and environmental stewardship, while minimizing costs and risks at every step of the energy value chain. With operations in over 120 countries, we infuse over a century of experience with the spirit of a start-up – inventing smarter ways to bring energy to the world. Visit us at BHGE.com

Forward-Looking Statements:
In accordance with the Safe Harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, McDermott cautions that statements in this press release which are forward-looking, and provide other than historical information, involve risks, contingencies and uncertainties that may impact McDermott's actual results of operations. These forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements about backlog, to the extent backlog may be viewed as an indicator of future revenues or profitability, and statements about the expected value, scope, execution and timing of the project discussed in this press release. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in those forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance that those expectations will prove to have been correct. Those statements are made by using various underlying assumptions and are subject to numerous risks, contingencies and uncertainties, including, among others: adverse changes in the markets in which we operate or credit markets, our inability to successfully execute on contracts in backlog, changes in project design or schedules, the availability of qualified personnel, changes in the terms, scope or timing of contracts, contract cancellations, change orders and other modifications and actions by our customers and other business counterparties, changes in industry norms and adverse outcomes in legal or other dispute resolution proceedings. If one or more of these risks materialize, or if underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those expected. For a more complete discussion of these and other risk factors, please see McDermott's annual and quarterly filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018. This press release reflects management's views as of the date hereof. Except to the extent required by applicable law, McDermott undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement.

]]>Mon, 11 Mar 2019 16:02:59 +0000APO Group - Africa-Newsroom: latest news releases related to Africahttps://www.africa-newsroom.com/addons/shared_addons/themes/apofront/img/logo.pnghttps://www.africa-newsroom.com/
https://www.africa-newsroom.com/press/bp-awards-contracts-to-mcdermott-and-bhge-for-greater-tortue-ahmeyim-natural-gas-project?lang=enAfrica,Awards,Business,Culture/Arts,Infrastructure,Maritime,Mauritania,Oil and Gas,Russia,Senegal,Technology,United Kingdom,MBC,SMSSenegalese Mothers and Artists Use Art to Stop Their Children from Leavinghttps://www.africa-newsroom.com/press/senegalese-mothers-and-artists-use-art-to-stop-their-children-from-leaving?lang=en
Some of the performers go through their paces during rehearsals. IOM/Marilena Crosatohttps://www.africa-newsroom.com/files/thumb/8544b99849b3fa8/600/418https://www.africa-newsroom.com/files/thumb/8544b99849b3fa8/600/418

“Leaving for success, for the honour of our mothers…This is only our mothers’ fault.”

Marie Mané sings this refrain, repeated in unison by a chorus of 40 women gathered at the Monument de la Renaissance in Dakar.

This refrain is more than a song for these mothers, daughters and sisters. It is their anthem for the fight against irregular migration.

Marie Mané is one of the elders in this group. A widowed mother of two children, she is originally from Casamance, in Southern Senegal. She joined a dance troupe when she arrived in Dakar some years ago.

By singing this refrain, Marie knows what lies behind these words. After her father’s death, her nephew received a small part of the inheritance to reach Europe with the complicity of his mother, who asked him to keep this travel secret.

“You see that your fellow’s son has left, and he is sending money to his mother every month, and you say to yourself, I have to support my son to leave, so that he too will send me money at the end of each month,” says Marie. “But… there is nowhere you can be that is not where you are meant to be. You do not know what the fellow’s son is doing to be able to send money. We have to talk to our children, tell them that they can make it here, and above all that they must always preserve their dignity,” adds Marie. Once he arrived in Mauritania, driven by his instinct, her nephew returned home and chose to build a life in his country.

As members of the traditional dance troupe of women from the Lebou community of Dakar, the collective Slam au Féminin, and the dance troupe Fatou Cissé, bonded over a shared objective: raise awareness among young people on the risks of irregular migration.

And doing so through what they know best: writing, singing and dancing. As a result, they will deliver a performance during an itinerant parade along the streets of the Senegalese capital on International Women’s Day, today (08/03).

“I am an artist. I can contribute to raising awareness. I can be a voice for the voiceless. I am the woman, the mother, the sister, who can support brothers, sisters and children to survive, not to sacrifice themselves for ‘success’,” says Aby Diagne, a member of the traditional dance troupe of women from the Lebou community which she has joined to encourage women to raise their voice in a society where their words are less valued than those of men.

“I lost a brother, a friend. He was encouraged by his mother to leave. He finally took the ‘Route’ and today we have no news from him. He might have died in the sea. I feel like supporting them when I am sensitizing them, explaining them that this is our fault. We wanted the best for him but in the end, he had the worst,” says Sister Selbé, a member of Slam au féminin.

In Senegal, mothers support their children’s migration; they even help finance their journeys. While Selbé recognizes the mothers’ responsibility for the departure of young people, she also recognizes her obligation to fight preconceived notions among many that migration is the ultimate means of survival.

But she cannot make it alone. She must work with those who have lost sons, fathers, brothers, or those who are aware that leaving is not inevitable. “No fight can be won without them,” she says.

“Women are involved in all issues that affect this country: social, education, politics. It is up to us to take responsibility because we are the cornerstone of the society. It’s up to us to say STOP, that’s enough, it must not continue,” said Selbé.

It is in this context that, when the International Organization for Migration (IOM) called on to celebrate International Women’s Day, these women immediately accepted. Throughout a week of preparatory workshops, grandmothers, mothers, and young women gathered to brainstorm on messages in the form of poems, songs and choreography. As the result of these preparatory workshops, a performance will be delivered.

“We had to join together [poetry] slammers and mothers. The brainstorming on messages was not easy as we have different backgrounds, we do not have the same style or experience to share. But we have learned from each other, listened to each other, helped each other and supported each other,” says Selbé.

In a society where the death of the one who “left” is taboo, art is a most appropriate form to convey the very harsh messages.

“This association of Lebou women is a legacy of our grandmothers and has been passed down through generations. It enables us to perpetuate and share the traditions of our ancestors. Through this association we make ourselves understood and heard.”

For these women, the itinerant parade is an opportunity to reaffirm and renew their commitment to the protection of their community and to send an ultimate message to young people: Be satisfied with what God gives you. Be patient, sooner or later you will get what you deserve.

Since 2017, IOM, in partnership with African States, has supported the voluntary return of more than 55,000 West Africans who were stranded along migration routes.

Providing timely access to accurate information on migration, including the dangers along the migration routes by road and by sea, can save the lives of the thousands of young Africans willing to risk their lives to reach Europe.

This activity implemented by IOM was made possible thanks to funding from the Italian Government under the Aware Migrants project. It is part of IOM’s efforts to raise awareness on irregular migration in West and Central Africa. Close to 10,000 awareness-raising events were organized across the region since the launch of the EU-IOM Joint Initiative for Migrant Protection and Reintegration in 2017.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Organization for Migration (IOM).

]]>Fri, 08 Mar 2019 13:27:19 +0000APO Group - Africa-Newsroom: latest news releases related to Africahttps://www.africa-newsroom.com/addons/shared_addons/themes/apofront/img/logo.pnghttps://www.africa-newsroom.com/
https://www.africa-newsroom.com/press/senegalese-mothers-and-artists-use-art-to-stop-their-children-from-leaving?lang=enAfrica,Children,Culture/Arts,Defense/Aerospace,Education,Entertainment,European Government,Foreign Policy,Humanitarian Aid,Infrastructure,Italy,Justice/Legal issues,Mauritania,Music,Not For Profit,Senegal,Women,MBCU.S. Embassy Cairo Celebrates Women in Film at the 3rd Aswan International Women’s Film Festivalhttps://www.africa-newsroom.com/press/us-embassy-cairo-celebrates-women-in-film-at-the-3rd-aswan-international-womens-film-festival?lang=en
Egyptian-American filmmaker Dina Emam lead a panel and workshop on women in cinema at the Aswan International Women’s Film Festivalhttps://www.africa-newsroom.com/files/thumb/6062e1e32bae2f5/600/418https://www.africa-newsroom.com/files/thumb/6062e1e32bae2f5/600/418

In partnership with the Aswan International Women’s Film Festival, the Embassy brought Egyptian-American film producer Dina Emam to Egypt on February 25th and 26th to lead a workshop and meet one-on-one with female Egyptian filmmakers. Dina Emam is best known for her work on the film “Yomeddine.”

“We are delighted to provide this opportunity for Egyptian filmmakers to connect with peers and mentors, as well as to explore future collaboration, discuss funding opportunities, and share industry best practices.” said Dorothy Shea, the Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy Cairo. “Film can be a powerful tool to empower women and girls, both behind and in front of the camera.”

Also in support of the Festival, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), together with UN Women, the National Council for Women, and the Japanese Government, supported the production of the Egyptian film “Between Two Seas”, which premiered at the festival. This moving story spotlights the negative personal and societal repercussions of female genital mutilation and the benefits of empowering women and girls. The film was produced by first-time filmmaker Axeer Productions, who won two prizes at the festival for their work on the film.

The Embassy works cooperatively with festivals and filmmakers throughout Egypt, bringing American filmmakers to lead workshops, panels, and masterclasses. Find out more about Embassy support for culture and the arts and our other cooperation with Egypt at http://eg.usembassy.gov or on Facebook and Twitter at @USEmbassyCairo.

The Minister of Science, Research and Arts of the German State of Baden-Württemberg, Theresia Bauer, as well as State Secretary Petra Olschowski visited Namibia from 26 February to 2 March. The main purpose of the visit was the restitution of the Bible and whip of Namibian national hero Hendrik Witbooi to Namibia. The two artefacts had been taken to Germany during the colonial area in 1902 and have been kept at the Linden Museum in Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg ever since.

Immediately following her arrival, Minister Bauer met with Namibian Minister of Education, Arts and Culture, Katrina Hanse-Himarwa. Together with her delegation, they accompanied the Witbooi Bible and whip on their way to Gibeon, the historic home of the Witbooi family, where the official hand-over ceremony took place on 28 February. She personally handed over the Bible and whip to the President of the Republic of Namibia, Dr. Hage G. Geingob, who in turn gave them to the elders of the Witbooi family. The elders then handed the artefacts over to Minister Hanse-Himarwa for care and custody by the Ministry.

In her speech during the ceremony, Minister Bauer expressed her remorse and regret for the atrocities committed by German soldiers. With the return of the Bible and whip she wished to honor Hendrik Witbooi as a freedom fighter. She also said: "We are deeply sorry for the injustices of the past and the long delay in the return of the Bible and whip of Hendrik Witbooi. However, we cannot undo the past. Therefore, today should not be the end, but the beginning of a better and united future.”

On her way back to Windhoek, Minister Bauer and members of her delegation together with Hon. Ida Hoffmann and Executive Director Sanet Steenkamp visited Hornkranz, the site of a deadly attack by German colonial troops on the Witboois’ settlement in 1893, during which the artefacts were stolen.

Fostering cultural and scientific cooperation

Minister Bauer was accompanied by a large and high-ranking delegation representing institutions in the fields of research, culture and the arts from Baden-Württemberg. During their stay, they had fruitful meetings with representatives of various Namibian institutions and organisations such as the National Archives of Namibia, the University of Namibia (UNAM), the College of the Arts in Windhoek (COTA), in addition to the Museum Association and the Arts Association of Namibia. Following up on meetings held during the last two years, several projects of collaboration and exchange were agreed upon. They will include joint workshops and visits in both Germany and Namibia involving experts, students and community representatives. The aim is to collaboratively examine museum exhibits and documents of colonial origin, conduct research in the fields of history, heritage and linguistics, and develop educational material. The delegation members were impressed by the commitment of their Namibian partners and are enthusiastic about the upcoming projects under the theme: ”Engaging the past, sharing the future.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany - Windhoek.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand, in collaboration with the Royal Thai Embassies in Nairobi, Maputo and Pretoria, organised a Muaythai Roadshow in Kenya, Ethiopia, Mozambique, and South Africa during 4 - 22 February 2019 with Muaythai athletes coached by Mr. Wittawat Ka-som (Master Din) from Lanna Fighting Muaythai Training Camp and Chiangmai Thepbodint School. The Muaythai Roadshow in South Africa was led by H.E. Mr. Chaisiri Anamarn, Advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affaris of Thailand, together with Mrs. Ruyaporn Sukontasap, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Information whilst Roadshow in Kenya, Ethiopia and Mozambique was led by Mr. Sorut Sukthaworn, Director of Cultural Diplomacy Division, Department of Information. The Roadshow aimed at using Muaythai as a tool for cultural diplomacy and development diplomacy to promote peace culture among youths, as well as fostering people-to-people contact between Thailand and African countries.

The Roadshow started in Kenya on 4 February 2019, and in Ethiopia on 8 February 2019. Led by H.E. Mr. Cherdkiat Atthakor, Ambassador of Thailand to Kenya and Ethiopia, together with the Director of Cultural Diplomacy Division, the Muaythai team conducted Muay Boran performances, Wai-Kru demonstrations, Muaythai cardio-training demonstrations, Muaythai competition performances and workshops for underprivileged youths, Muaythai and martial arts enthusiasts and trainers at various venues, namely (1) Silanga Village, Kibera, Nairobi, in collaboration with the Trinity Boxing Club, Fight for Peace and Kilimanjaro Initiative; (2) the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Academy, Nairobi; (3) Alpha Fit Gym, Nairobi; (4) YMCA’s Sports & Training Centre, Addis Ababa. The aforementioned activities were warmly received by Kenyans and Ethiopians, and also attended by the local and national media in both countries.

The Ambassador, together with the Director of Cultural Diplomacy Division, also met with Mr. Kirimi P. Kaberia, Permanent Secretary for Sports Development, Ministry of Sports and Heritage of Kenya and Mr. Erstu Yireda, Commissioner, Federal Democratic of Ethiopia Sport Commission, to discuss the promotion of Muaythai in both countries and to inform of Thailand’s endeavour in including Muaythai in the Olympic Games. The meeting in Kenya was also attended by Mr. Maurice Odera, Muaythai promoter, and Mr. James Kamau Mwangi, one of the pioneers of Muaythai in Kenya. The meeting in Ethiopia was also attended by Mr. Tsegaye Abebe, the Royal Thai Honorary Consul in Addis Ababa. On this occasion, Master Din or Mr. Wittawat Ka-Som, the Muaythai Master of Lanna Fighting Muaythai training camp and Chiangmai Thepbodint School, with his team, demonstrated the arts and training of Muaythai to all participants.

During 11 – 15 February 2019, the Roadshow was successfully held in Bilene District and Maputo, led by H.E. Mr. Thosaporn Moonlasartsathorn, Ambassador of Thailand to Mozambique, together with the Director of Cultural Diplomacy Division. The activities included: (1) Muay Boran, Wai Kru and Muaythai competition demonstrations and workshops for youths and students in Tuane Village, Bilene District, Gaza Province. These activities were intended to complement efforts of Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA) and the Royal Thai Embassy in Maputo, which have conducted development cooperation projects to create a more sustainable agricultural development path in Mozambique; (2) Muay Boran, Wai Kru and Muaythai competition demonstrations for students at Escola Secundaria John Issa in Macia, Bilene District, Gaza Province, with over 900 students attending the event; and (3) Muaythai workshops for enthusiasts and trainers at MASSADURA Gym and Crossfit Box Gym in Maputo.

The Ambassador and the Director of Cultural Diplomacy Division, also met with H.E. Ms. Ana Flávia J. Azinheira, Vice-Minister of the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Mozambique and Mr. Penalva Cézar, Executive Director and Secretary General of the National Olympic Committee of Mozambique, to discuss possible cooperation on Muaythai and to seek support on bringing Muaythai towards the Olympic Games.

During 17 – 22 February 2019, the Advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, together with Mr. Paisit Boonparlit, Chargé d’Affaires of the Royal Thai Embassy in Pretoria, the Deputy Director-General of the Department of Information, and the Director of Cultural Diplomacy Division, led the Muaythai team to conduct Muay Boran and Muaythai competition demonstrations and workshops for underprivileged youths at (1) Zakheni Training & Development Centre in Soshanguve Township, Pretoria; (2) Bram Fischer Multi-Purpose Centre, in Soweto Township, Johannesburg, where people with physical disabilities also attended; and (3) Orlando Children’s Home in Johannesburg. The Team also conducted a workshop for Muaythai enthusiasts and trainers at the Tiger-Dragon Muaythai Boxing Gym in Pretoria.

The Advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, together with Chargé d’Affaires of the Royal Thai Embassy, the Deputy Director-General of the Department of Information, and the Director of Cultural Diplomacy Division, also met with Mr. Barry Hendricks, Vice President of the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC), Mr. Gregory Heart, President of Martial Arts South Africa (MASA), and Mr. Mario Da Silva, President of Muay Boran Association, to discuss cooperation on Muaythai in South Africa. The President of SASCOC recognised the popularity of Muaythai in South Africa and voiced his readiness to support Thailand’s endeavour in bringing Muaythai to the Olympic Games.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand.

The Cameroonian “Miraculous weapons” produced by Jean-Pierre Bekolo was judged to be the film giving the most positive image of Africa, at the influential 2019 Festival Panafricain du Cinéma et de la Télévision de Ougadougou (FESPACO). As winner of the Ecobank Foundation’s (EcobankFoundation.org)Sembène Ousmane prize, Jean-Pierre Bekolo received XOF 5,000,000 and a bronze trophy.

“Miraculous weapons” provides an enthralling story of quest of human freedom, freedom of expression, in a spirit of absolute dignity. It was judged to be the film giving the best image of Africa through its portrayal of African honour and dignity.

“The African continent can rightly be proud of its burgeoning film industry and it is gratifying to see so many films displaying Africa and its diverse cultures to global audiences,” says Carl Manlan, Chief Operating Officer of the Ecobank Foundation. “I have no doubt that Ousmane Sembène, who is rightly regarded as one of Africa’s greatest authors and as the ‘father of African film’, would have been thoroughly engrossed by the storyline of “Miraculous weapons” and how it displays Africa in a positive light.”

The prize was judged by a prestigious panel which consisted of Denise Epoté (Chair of the jury and Regional Director Africa of TV5 Monde), Clarence Delgado (cineaste), Cheick Oumar Cissoko (Mali former minister of culture and president FEPACI), Issa Soma (journalist) and Etienne Kaboré (FESPACO).

"In this fiftieth year of FESPACO, the quality of the films in competition undeniably testifies the maturity of African cinemas. We welcome the image of the continent that can be seen in majority of films. An Africa far from misleading clichés” says Denise Epoté “A standing and proud Africa planning its own course. Values ​​that Sembène Ousmane, as one of the founding fathers of the film week in 1969, considers important “

Once again, attendees at the biennial pan-African film festival are being spoilt for choice with over 400 movies being screened throughout the week. These include the 20 films which have been shortlisted for the overall award and the 15 special prizes, including the Ecobank Foundation prize limited to the countries where Ecobank operates in Africa. The overall winning film at the 2019 festival will be announced on Saturday.

About the Ecobank Foundation:
The Ecobank Foundation (EcobankFoundation.org) was created to positively impact the lives of people across Africa. Established by the Ecobank Group, the leading pan-African bank, the Foundation is positioned to contribute towards the continent’s transformation, particularly in the communities in which the bank operates.
Web: EcobankFoundation.org

About Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (‘ETI’ or ‘The Group’):
Incorporated in Lomé, Togo in 1988, Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (‘ETI’) (Ecobank.com) is the parent company of the leading independent pan-African banking group, Ecobank. It is a full-service bank providing wholesale, retail, investment and transaction banking services and products to governments, financial institutions, multinationals, international organizations, medium, small and micro businesses and individuals.
Web: Ecobank.com